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I'm no fan of Usmanov but at least he is actually saying something even if it's just the lowest form of spin to get people onside. His percieved BS is still better than Kroenke's continued silence which is borderline insulting.
My Vision
Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 12 June 2011 14:50
A late blog today this is due to a lovely Sunday late morning nap. After my little terrors dragged me from my pit at 6am this morning, I decided to wake the better half a few hours later to deal with the troops and then continue whichever beautiful dreams I had earlier.
I hadn't expected to sleep as long as I did but now I feel revitalised and full of beans. Now on to matters Arsenal.
Alisher Usmanov has all of a sudden pepped up and has plenty to say for himself regarding the current board and his love for everything Arsenal. Pretty impressive from a Manchester United fan wouldn't you say?
He told the News of the World: "If the role of a board member is to oversee a trophyless period, while making significant personal profits and asking fans to pay inflation-busting ticket price increases then, no, I would not want to be on the board.
Fantastic way of distancing himself away from the board that have received plenty of flak for the ticket increases and the lack of major investment into the club. Usmanov has continuously tried to paint himself as the saviour, the supporters choice. The man who wants to invest big money into the club he 'loves' and that taking money out the club is of little interest.
"If instead it is to try to deliver sustained success, to increase your personal investment in the club, to help develop the commercial position and to ensure the fans have a say in the running of the club then, yes, I think I certainly have something to contribute.
"In terms of doing things differently, let me give you a very clear example. Arsenal has all of its major commercial contracts coming up for renewal in the next couple of years.
"It's no secret that to maximise the value of those you want to have success on the field and be winning trophies. To do that you need to invest now in building a winning team. This is simple commercial logic. Whether it comes to pass, we shall see."
Ahh, beautiful. Pulling on the heart strings. That is exactly what us the fans want. A strong team to win trophies and the rest will follow. This Usmanov fellow really knows his stuff. I am surprised the rest of the Arsenal board haven't cottoned on to this fact.
I have saved the best until last though.
"There is a widely-held view among most commentators - and one that I agree with - that the club needs to stiffen the defensive spine of the team, with a dominant keeper, strong centre-halves and a powerful defensive midfielder in the mould of Claude Makelele," he said.
With Pat Rice wavering over his future, shouldn't we just kick old Pat to the curb because as we all know and have sat in the training sessions, he offers absolutely nothing to Arsene Wenger. Usmanov is the man with the tactical plan. He knows where we are weak or is it that he has read the opinion of many an Arsenal fan around the blogs?
This absolutely reeks of a man who has regurgitated as much information that he has been able to muster from a section of disgruntled Arsenal supporters.
I can envisage him sitting at his desktop PC late at night with only a pair of white Y-fronts on (well that were white to start with), copying and pasting views of Arsenal supporters and then using the information to formulate 'his' attack on the Arsenal board.
So why has he taken this long to surface? Oh look there is a small matter of the Q&A Session with Ivan Gazidis from shareholders. Funnily enough, that is being held tomorrow.
Many I am sure will be able to see right through him but sadly others will believe that all he wants is to hand over his shekels and make everyone at Arsenal smiling and high-fiving on a daily basis, apart from those evil no gooders running the club.
I am certainly not going to fall for it. Is this the same Usmanov who had demanded a dividend on his Arsenal shares when he first got involved in our club. Arsenal is a wonderful cash cow to business men in 2011, the debt is close to being wiped out and the profits will increase. It is what attracted Kroenke and it is certainly what attracted Usmanov. Don't let him blind you of that.
Back in the world of transfer rumour. Apparently Barcelona have offered us £34 million plus Thiago Alcântara. Which made me question it from the start. Thiago is supposed to be the next big thing since slice bread over there and has already played games for the first team at 18. A highly technical skilful attacking central midfielder who can touch the ball at high speed in such a small area.
I would be massively surprised if Barcelona sold the kid for any price let alone include the guy in a part exchange package.
I prefer to listen to our manager than any media outlet or Barcelona representative. Wenger was speaking to French television and he said (and I paraphrase) 'The Spanish press have been talking for years. I will be clear Fabregas will be a Gunner for a long time'
Now that is what I am talking about. I must admit I have been a little more open to admitting that he could leave the club this year but if he was to stay then I think cartwheels would be in order. I appreciate that a 6ft 2in man in this thirties doing a cartwheel may look a little strange but I think it would be necessary.
Arsene didn't sound quite as convincing when it came to Samir Nasri though. He said the usual, that we will be doing all we can to keep hold of him but he did come out with a great line about great clubs making players and not the other way round. I like that.
Funny isn't it? (not really) but at the end of the season I thought Cesc would be off and Nasri would most certainly sign a new deal, that could be totally wrong. Who knows.
If they both commit for the long term then perhaps a naked cartwheel would be in order. Okay, sorry for that. Remove that thought from your minds and I promise not to ever mention that again. Apologies.
Gervinho has gone all quiet on his future suggesting that it will get sorted out one way or the other and that he just wants to enjoy his summer. One thing is for certain, if we have any interest in any players then we will more than likely tell said player to shut up and once reported targets start getting all coy then I tend to take a little more notice.
It appears that Abou Diaby will have surgery on his ankle which may see the midfielder miss pre season. I have noticed that many Arsenal fans get angry at Diaby because of his injuries and personally I do not understand it one bit. How frustrated must the player be after having his career completely disrupted because of a few thugs.
I feel nothing but sadness for the guy and just hope that this will be the last problem he has before he gets his career back on track. These are the years that a player needs to develop and hone their skills and not find himself broken on the sidelines because his body has not recovered from serious impact.
Good luck Abou.
Back tomorrow.
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12-Jun-2011 15:48 | | DanAs a jewish Arsenal fan i find comments like
"will believe that all he wants is to hand over his shekels and make everyone at Arsenal smiling and high-fiving on a daily basis, apart from those evil no gooders running the club."
as highly racist. just like the singing of spurs are on the way to auschwitz being sung at the emirates and white hart lane.
did u thank david dein and danny fiszman for putting their shekels into the club?
no i didnt think so.
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12-Jun-2011 15:54 | | MeanLean
Can you explain how exactly I have been racist? You've lost me totally.
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12-Jun-2011 15:56 | | Georgakos - Abou DiabyAt last, a just and fair comment about Diaby! We have certainly been deprived of a magnificent talent by a bunch of thugs. I hope his problems can be solved because I think Diaby has he is a top class player albeit sporadically. Here's hoping!
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12-Jun-2011 15:59 | | Sid - Get a gripOh do fuck off Dan you over sensitive twat. How is that racist? Using shecles? So, if he said dollars or rubles or lettuce hats fine, but sheckles is racist? Get a grip you plum. People like you are precisely why there are real problems in the world; finding arguments where none exist.
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12-Jun-2011 16:00 | | MeanLeanI hear what you are saying about his silence, it isn't right but I would certainly trust Kroenke over Usmanov based on reputation and history
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12-Jun-2011 16:01 | | Sid - And another thingIve never heard that chant, home or away. You are a despicable lying trouble maker, fuck off.
I hate recism and bigotry to my core, so for you to spout off on here claiming racism is warped beyond belief, you need help.
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12-Jun-2011 16:02 | | Georgakos - DrachmasI am a gooner of Greek ancestry. I find it deeply insulting that you didn't suggest Usmanov invest drachmas into Arsenal Football Club. How ungrateful you all are. Don't forget democracy began in ancient Athens!
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12-Jun-2011 16:04 | | Wenger BoyUsmanov is a career crook and, to appopriate a quote from some other issue (I forget what), I don't want 'his sort' anywhere near my beloved club.
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12-Jun-2011 16:08 | | MeanLeanDan, if I have offended you by using that word then I apologies. It is a word I use for money often and never in a derogatory way. I didn't even know of its origins until you just said that, so there was certainly no racism involved.
But I am surprised that given the context of the article you would think that it was in anyway negative.
What gave you that impression if you don't mind me asking?
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12-Jun-2011 16:16 | | goonergalThe fat manu u supporting (dounble agent) russian has been reading the online gooner blogs, timed this to perfection for tomorrows meeting with shareholders, they will be quoting him all night, he must realise he will never get a place on the board after this s##t stirring.
A note to Diaby's surgeon: please also surgically remove the spurs shirt from his back and install some common sense into his brain, players really don' t help themselves with silly comments, even if it is a joke.
Dan, you really should not be so sensitive, when spurs fans stop calling themselves by the vile terms you are intimating to, then maybe everyone else will, its not very pleasant to have your manager continually called a paedophile either, all football fans use derisory terms for oposition fans thats football, Peace, love, and successful transfers are what we need now ~ not more hvaing a go at each other.
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12-Jun-2011 16:20 | | Danwell considering he is uzb ek and a muslim i dont understand why on eart u would use shekels...the only time i come across statements like that are when people try to illuistarate that govts and corporations are controlled by jews...
nevertheless apology accepted
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12-Jun-2011 16:27 | | Iron ManOh for sure. I just think in this respect, Stan should actually take note. As you said, Usmanov is trying to get disgruntled fans onside and you know what? He's likely to succeed if he continues to make the "right" noises as far as they are concerned. Even if what he says is bollocks, he's still making an effort.
Kroenke may have the more respectable reputation but fans will not warm to him if he continues to alienate himself.
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12-Jun-2011 16:36 | | therealgooner - the real issue...!Much as i enjoyed reading your well written, imaginative and sincere letter I feel that you and most commentators are still avoiding the key issue; the manager of Arsenal football club has become a serial underachiever. His philosophy does not work. The team has gone backwards. He has been unable to inculcate attributes that he consider key into his team. Mental strength; clearly missing when the chips were down. Technical skills, clearly missing time and time again in front of goal. I could go on and pick however I feel until people accept that AW has done a wonderful job for the club, and himself, but that it is time to move on, everything else is just hot air...
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12-Jun-2011 16:44 | | PassenalMean Lean, when and where did you hear those comments from Arsene? I haven't seen any reference to them anywhere else.
Thanks
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12-Jun-2011 16:46 | | rizalMy take on what Usmanov said : Agree that, the board are too complacent and unambitious as long as we are still playing in CL. and Arsene is a mad man who is trying to compete to get 4th place or even to get the championship with the resource and backing that he had receive over the years, just imagine only 2.8 Mill average net transfer spend per year for as long as his tenure being the manager. if the same amount given to Alex, he would surely quit on the next day
.
So I agreed the the blame should be put first on the board, then Arsene and the players them self.
Whether Usmanov will be good or trusted owner of the club I still don't know, well who knows, even for Kroenke how do we know that we can trust this guy too.
As for the racist claim by the Jewish poster, just ignore him because most of the Jewish I know is hyper sensitive with everything but fail to be sensitive of what they are doing to others.
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12-Jun-2011 16:53 | | MeanLeanFrench TV according to a French Gooner VIA Twitter. Haven't heard it myself though. Not that I would understand you see.
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12-Jun-2011 17:00 | | mikeArsene Wenger can afford to be firm regarding Fabregas, because there is a long term contract in place. With Nasri, there is not !
We are mad about Diaby, because we kept on being sold on the fact that he is the new Viera, which is obviously false, even if it is not Diaby's fault. So at the moment and the last few years, he has taken up valuable space, been paid well, and really not produced anything. If the rest of us did that we would be living in the streets under some bridge, and begging for change.
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12-Jun-2011 17:02 | | Original thinking - Your blogDelusional I'm afraid. The first para you quote from Usmanov is the exact truth. This board have been in it fon one thing only - the money! As long as AW gets us into the CL they do not care and havent for years. The club will be debt free shortly, has one of the best soon to be fully paid for grounds in Europe and always ( just about) qualifies for the CL. Quite simply the best football asset to be sold for years. It will happen and when it does us the supporters will have been taken for a ride by that perrenial loser AW. The only way I would be convinced that I am wrong is if the board sacks AW
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12-Jun-2011 17:05 | | PassenalThanks ML - I followed the link and although my French is limited I got the gist of what Wenger was saying.
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12-Jun-2011 17:14 | | Vineet - Gazidis and KroenkeWhen Gazidis had joined we had heard of the CEO drama. Has it improved anything - No. Howcome contracts of your prized possessions were allowed to run into last year.
Lets see who will only talk and who will walk the talk and who will neither walk nor talk
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12-Jun-2011 17:18 | | jonathan chawora - Why the obsession with UsmanovI dont understand the obsession and negative vitriol against Usmanov. This culture is part of the reason why Arsenal are in the current mess. For a longtime Usmanov has been sidelined despite having a substantial stake in the club. Surely a person with a fortune of 9 billion pounds cannot be looking to make money out of arsenal. Its astonishing for anybody to suggest that. Given what has happened to Arsenal over the past 6 years isnt it time that Usmanov deserves a chance to show what he can offer to Arsenal FC
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12-Jun-2011 18:15 | | RGSo you slag off Usmanov for his spot on comments based on the fact that you know is intentions are not genuine? How do you know he's not another Abrmaovich who will chuck bucket loads at seeing Arsenal succeed and fall in love with the club in the process? Sure, like Abramovich he'd probably meddle with team affairs but right now I wouldn't mind that from our owner. Not if he's (a) putting untold into the club & (b) it means the end of Wenger's dictatorship.
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12-Jun-2011 18:22 | | GaryAnd you think his motives are noble and he has only Arsenal's interests at heart?
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12-Jun-2011 18:36 | | Sid - Usmanov is a ManU loving crookThis current board, whether you like them or not have over seen the huge financial risk of oving stadium. Where the fuck was the Uzbek racketeer then? No where and this carpet bagger thinks he can criticise them for lack of investment? What a hoot.
And I see the fat gangster's lackies have been busy on this blog as well. You're earning your sheckels (oops!) today lads, well done.
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12-Jun-2011 18:52 | | ash - Usmanov? no tahttp://danhardie.wordpress.com/2007/09/25/theres-only-one-alisher- usmanov/
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12-Jun-2011 18:54 | | Ben - ShekelsDont be a dingbat Dan...im Jewish and that term is not racist what so ever you schmuk
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12-Jun-2011 19:21 | | dkgooner - Short memoryWenger a perennial loser? What planet are you from?
What other manager has produced a PL team that went a whole season+ without being defeated?
Admittedly, we haven't won any silverware for 6 seasons but that's a very narrow view of success.
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12-Jun-2011 19:22 | | colesy - Abou Diabyare you serious? I can pitcure Diaby relaxing by playing on his XBOX wearing his Spurs shirt proudly. How insulting to ALL supporters of this club. This guy gets chopped down because of his poor touch and inability to pass when he always believes the best tactic is to take on half of the opposition.
He has been with the club for around 4 seasons, made no progress and shown no respect with his latest comments/actions. He needs to be shipped out ASAP.
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12-Jun-2011 19:23 | | dkgooner - Usmanov's office staff on the blogLooks like everyone on Usmanov's staff is rallying around their leader.
Pass the sick bag somebody.
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12-Jun-2011 19:26 | | PodgeI prefer the owner to stay out of the football business and let the manager get on with his job. Arsene knows we don't need to buy a new keeper as Fabianski is finally playing to his potential these days and he has vast experience lets face it he has at one stage or another made every mistake a keeper can make. Fabianski will prove himself next season as he continues on the form he showed last season before his injury. I think if Fabianski hadn't been injured we would have won a trophy last season as he is clearly passionate and a vocal leader who's not afraid to give his defenders an earful if they make a mistake. If your boss is saying you have to buy this player even if you know he would harm the team what would you do? Kroenke can help Arsenal open up the American market and Gadzidis is a money man who will help Arsenal get big sponsorship deals in line with what ManU and Liverpool get
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12-Jun-2011 19:42 | | SammyNelsonsPantsHysterical.
Try understanding what the word 'racism" means before commenting on it.
The original post is not racist, agreed, but your last paragraph is incredibly racist.... what, exactly, are "most of the Jewish" you know, "doing" and to who... and how, exactly, do these individuals ( I'd guess, maybe 3, maximum) represent the character, beliefs and actions of anyone else?
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12-Jun-2011 19:44 | | dkgooner - Nice post ashBut the link didn't work.
This one should:
http://danhardie.wordpress.com/2007/09/
It's good to know Craig Murray's information is still out there.
Anyone who doesn't know who Craig Murray is/was:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Murray
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/
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12-Jun-2011 19:48 | | MeanLeanPlease can we talk football (on and off pitch) only.
I do not want this to turn into any debate about race.
Thanks all.
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12-Jun-2011 19:53 | | bt62gooner - 'his sort'I think this was used by Hill Wood in reference to Silent Stan at the time of the David Dein debacle.Funny how things change,a man who lived and breathed Arsenal gets the boot.Yet 'his sort' sits on the board,but hey times change.AFFA
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12-Jun-2011 19:55 | | Tau - The real issue...Certainly cncur wth u,th philosophy hsnt wkd,whlst Usmanov said th painstkng truth,w shd use it t rflct rgardles hs intentions.1 ? Why arent w linkd wth th lyks of Sanchez,Pastore.wat hapened t Melo tok.thse ar playrz wh cn lead th trnsfmatn n lead our title n UCL charge
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12-Jun-2011 20:00 | | MeanLeanWow, that was cryptic. Isn't it easier to actually write the real words?
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12-Jun-2011 20:02 | | gooner 89 - diabyDiaby is a waste of space. the sooner we sell him the better. goes missing in 75% of games, never sprints or tracks his man and constantly gives away possession. how he gets a game is beyond me. perhaps its as he is tall and french!!
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12-Jun-2011 20:12 | | Tau - AW,1 mo seasonLets gv 1 mo ssn t aw bt hs got t spend big cash if w ar t chaleng n attain honors.lm pizzd off @ times wen w arent linkd up wth big playrz like Sanchz,Pastore,Neyma,De Rosi.Tevez is anotha g8 playr.as 4 Usmanov lets use hs observatns t plan bt w cnt trust hm cz hs MU
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12-Jun-2011 20:37 | | MeanLean@therealgooner I disagree with you.
I agree that we have gone backwards since 2004 but you are missing a few key points.
1. Stadium move
2. The age of our best team
3. The age of our current squad
4. The financial restrictions
And more.
I could write on this subject for ages but I will ask you this.
Which manager has been in our situation since the invincibles and continued winning trophies immediately. Just one example will do.
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13-Jun-2011 02:27 | | richie - Dan where are you from?Spuds on their way to Auschwitz isn't a song I'm familiar with, but with a catchy title like that its bound to catch on. I'll certainly listen out for it even though I'm pretty sure you made it up. Surely your not from London? Or you don't get out much. Londoners use so many Yiddish words without ever considering their origins or even knowing their origins. They are so often used that nobody even notices them, they are just a part of the local dialect. Words like Nosh Klutz Putz Shpiel Tush and even Schlong of which you seem to be a large one. Shekel isn't racist it international. Get a life.
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13-Jun-2011 02:33 | | richie - Dan the MenchML shouldn't bloody well have apologised because what you said was Bunkum you meshuggeneh.
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13-Jun-2011 02:38 | | richie - communication?I'm just glad someone understood it never mind Yiddish the above is well on the road to Jibberish.
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13-Jun-2011 03:39 | | Man United Killerwhat about the age of the current squad?Do you even know the average age of manure,mancity,pool or even chelsea for that matter?Dude,do your research before you get on here to make excuses for our failures!
And what financial restrictions are you talking about?The restrictions generated by greedy leaders and Arsene Wenger's bunch of overpaid ladies?
You just cant wait to lower your standards for Wenger just because he has of the invinsibles..and new stadium and blah blah blah..all weak arguements.
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13-Jun-2011 03:41 | | Man United KillerDiaby is garbage...he will never be half the players vierra 'IS' not 'WAS'.
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13-Jun-2011 03:47 | | Man United KillerYep..I agree..very tolerant view of failure...always dwelling on past glories.who cares if he went a season unbeaten.Porto did that this season even with a squad much younger than the invinsibles.We live in the here and now...and just in case you didnt know there is a difference between being unbeaten and having a wining streak.we have won only two games in our last 13.before that we were unbeaten for about 8 or 9 games but still managed to come 4th.can we please drop the unbeaten excuse.
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